What is EDI?
Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is the electronic exchange of business data. Using a standard format, EDI provides a method of transmitting business data -- from one computer to another, without rekeying the data. This electronic link can result in more effective business transactions.

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What does "more effective" mean?
"More effective" means potentially timesaving, and money-saving. Research shows that corporate America generates enough paper each day to circle the world 40 times over. With B2B, paper transactions can be replaced with electronic transmissions, thus time is saved and the potential for error is minimized. And data can be exchanged at any time -- not just when mail is processed. Related business expenses, such as postage, printing, phone calls and handling can also be significantly reduced. In addition, B2B can aid in the support of just-in -time manufacturing efforts.

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What parts of the business cycle can be supported by B2B?
If it's on paper today, chances are it can be supported by B2B. Standards exist for electronic documents and are defined for a wide variety of paper-based communication. The international B2B standard called EDIFACT (B2B for Administration, Commerce, and Transport) is encouraged by Semiconductor Group and is supported through the United Nations and the International Standards Organization. The EDIFACT standard is a Global B2B standard.

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Who is using B2B?
The retail, automotive, grocery, freight and financial industries were the early users of B2B. The electronics industry and the government are currently becoming very involved with B2B technology. As an example of the growth of B2B applications, a recent survey conducted by a top consulting firm shows that 50% of their clients (with sales averaging $1 billion annually) are using B2B in an industry standardized format today.

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Who can use B2B?
Any company that buys or sells goods or services can potentially use B2B. Because it supports the entire business cycle, B2B can streamline the relationship that any company has with its customers, distributors, suppliers, carriers, and service providers.

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What is TI's involvement with B2B?
TI has been using B2B since 1969. Most of TI's internal application systems have been redesigned for compatibility with B2B. TI has been actively represented on industry standards committees since 1982. TI has a rich portfolio of transaction sets consisting of over 31 ANSI ASC X12 and EDIFACT documents that can be traded electronically.

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Should my company use B2B?
B2B offers many potential benefits. B2B is a productivity tool that is beneficial to both suppliers and customers. Moreover, it's a service to customers, and is often viewed as an indicator of technical ability.

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What kind of hardware and software is needed to implement B2B?
The hardware you currently own will probably be adequate to start your B2B program. B2B translation and communications software is available for most computers: PCs, minicomputers, and mainframes. And the system you use for B2B probably does not need to be dedicated to that purpose. However, migration to the new XML technologies does require specialized servers and software.

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Is the cost of initiating B2B recoverable?
A recent survey by a top consulting firm has shown that 57% of the companies using B2B (all with sales averaging $1 billion annually) expect to recover the costs of implementing B2B within 3 years. Of course, any cost recovery you may have will depend on many cost and configuration factors and may or may not be comparable to the study results.

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Are there any legal issues concerning B2B with TI?
Yes, there are some legal issues that are specific to B2B. The treatment of these issues are addressed in TI's Standard B2B Trading Partner Agreement

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What is the availability of B2B at TI?
TI's B2B software runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. TI can accommodate almost any schedule for transmitting EDI data that may be needed, anywhere in the world.

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Who will I contact at TI once we begin B2B?
A TI B2B representative will be your central contact to field all questions and issues for you.

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Where can I get more information about initiating an B2B relationship with B2B?
To get more information, contact your local TI representative or request more information.

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What is RosettaNet?
RosettaNet is a global consortium of High Tech OEM, Distributor, EMSI, and Suppliers dedicated to the development and deployment of standard electronic business interfaces. This will enable supply chain partners to do electronic business over the Internet more efficiently. Common Business Processes being addressed include Order Management, New Product Information, Design Registration, Query Technical Data.

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Why did TI choose RosettaNet?
RosettaNet is the only standard for XML transactions, security, and transmission protocols in support of common business processes. In addition, RosettaNet is adopting existing Industry Standards, like JEDEC,UN, the UCC/EAN, NEDA, NIST, among others.

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Why is the standardization of B2B interfaces necessary?
The requirement for ‘real-time’ Internet exchanges and the capability of the new XML computer language to transport large volumes of data over the internet are two factors that color the business environment today. No company has the resources to develop custom XML solutions to link all of their trading partner community into it’s legacy applications. Industry standards, gathered under the RosettaNet banner, will enable the supply chain to become more efficient and facilitate global e-commerce transactions between closely aligned business partners.

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What is XML?
XML stands for ‘extensible mark-up language’ and is one of the new computer languages developed to support web solutions. XML enables the transport of large volumes of data over the Internet in an open but agreed upon architecture.

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What is a PIP?
PIP stands for ‘Partner Interface Process’ and defines the XML code, activities, decisions and Partner Role interactions that fulfill a standard business transaction between two partners in the supply chain. Each partner participating in the “Partner Interface Process” must fulfill the obligations specified in a PIP.

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What is the difference between B2B and B2C?
B2B literally means business to business---think computer-to-computer, our systems talking to those of our customer’s. The B2B model does not require a website but does require the integration of company backend systems to communicate transactional information. So, EDI programs are B2B. B2C is business to consumer or individual web browser. A B2C model is a commercial website where an individual must go to perform a business transaction. The www.ti.com website is a good example of a B2C model.

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What is the value of RosettaNet to TI?
Without standards like RosettaNet, TI would have to absorb major costs to develop and implement multiple proprietary XML solutions and third-party interchanges for key business processes exchanges with customers, suppliers, and other trading partners. This is also why TI supports standard EDI exchanges as well.

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Why is RosettaNet different from EDI?
TI’s EDI processes are batched file exchanges----not conducive to the shift to Internet-based, real-time communications. EDI requires the use of costly Value Added Networks (VANs) vs. the elimination of the need for these third party providers for RosettaNet exchanges over the Internet. However, there are costs associated with security and software for RosettaNet exchanges.

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Is RosettaNet Global?
The emergence of the Internet as a global business enabler is forcing companies to take a look at their internal processes and how they support the rapid evolution of real-time information accessibility. The Internet is 24x7 and location is irrelevant. This new paradigm is pushing TI and other companies to become more global and more real-time, thus RosettaNet is a solution. There are new consortiums within RosettaNet in Europe, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea.

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Does TI support connections with global customers with other sites worldwide?
Whether or not a customer’s global sites are supported by regional OR global systems, TI can communicate with those systems using industry standards like RosettaNet, ANSI x12 and EDIFACT.

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Can a Customer have both EDI and RosettaNet?
Yes, TI will support both EDI and RosettaNet engagements with a Customer, but not for the same process. They are complementary engagements. We can engage in order entry with a Customer using either EDI Or RosettaNet, but not both. Both EDI and RosettaNet are binding transactions with a signed JUL.

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